Weary sunday

Since it was midday the tent was like a sauna and no place to be. Everyone tried to find some shade. I found a large boulder closer to the water caressed by a nice cooling breeze which also kept the horseflies in distance. I've stopped counting the bites. We managed to sleep almost 3 hours, then I made us dinner and we packed our stuff to walk back 4 hours in the rugged terrain once again. I was back home just after 1 am in the morning. Just a few hours rest until work....

First attempt Rulten

 

 

 

 

 

Well what can I say...at least we are getting to know the area. This was my hardest trip so far in Norway. We couldn't find the way. We tried 3 possible routes but no one didn't seem to be right. The climbing was supposed to be easy but it wasn't and the rock was loose. It was scary leading. On the last route we tried we were almost 900 meters high. Andreas just started belaying me from above when a huge rock passed just next to me. I was shaking like a leaf. I had a guardian angel today. When everyone was up we decided to call it off, lower down and return to basecamp. It took us ages to get down and we had to leave a lot of gear. But what's the price of a couple of nuts compared to getting down safely? It took us 24 hours from leaving the tent until we came back again. I was so tired and the last part was really slow and I went on sheer will but down I came. We had something to eat and then everyone tried to get some sleep...

And so the days were passing...

Mona at work gave me a whole bag of rhubarb. I love rhubarb! Wednesday I went with my bike to Storsandnes to meet some local climbers. We're establishing new routes and need to start clearing some grass, heather and dirt. Thursday we met at my place to discuss the weekend (who's bringing what, the route and so on). And of course I served coffee and rhubarb pie. Friday I packed my stuff and we went to Svolvær for a short stop getting some last supplies. We started walking from Liland at 8 pm. 4 hours in rugged terrain and we set up our basecamp, had some dinner and went to sleep some time just before 2 am.

 

 

 

Mørkedalsvatnet

Good news is that yesterday our new indoor climbing wall arrived! Some spanish guys are putting it up at Lofothallen. It will probably take 2 weeks and then I guess we can make some routes for Vestlofoten Climbing Club!

Today I went to Haukland and then I followed a new road until it ended at Mørkedalsvatnet. I was thinking I could go to Vikvatnet from here but it looked really steep and I couldn't see a path so I went back and took the path from the other side.

The old Fishermen's trail

Today we braved the weather and went the old fishermen's trail that runs between the landowner's fishing village in Nusfjord and the small hamlet of Østre Nesland. It has been used for centuries, primary by fishermen on their way home after labouring for a week on the seas of Lofoten and in Nusfjords fishermen's cabins. From the path there's a view of the immense Vestfjord.

 

 

 

Rain, rain and rain

This sums up the week + add some overtime (3 days) and due to the fantastic weather forecast this weekend we decided to cancel our climbing trip to Eidtinden. Friday I went straight home and I was pretty tired but by 6 am I was getting restless and tired of this couch-potato-life. (I think I live to close to work, miss my trips from Ballstadøya). When moving here I was looking forward to nice afternoon rides on this side but when rain was pouring down like that, the only thing I did was one hike tuesday with Gyda and Frost to Ureberget. We were soaking wet when we came home. But this friday I went to Hauklandsstranda and to the middle of the old road leading to Uttakleiv. I think this is my new favorite spot (smultronställe). I could really feel the energy coming back when I got on my bike and felt the wind in my hair. The road to Haukland is really beautiful and one can go different ways there and back.

Moving out...

This weekend it's time to move out from my fisherman cabin to leave room for the tourists (since they pay huge amounts in summer). I'll be staying in 15 square meters in the hospital area. But it's only for a month and then I'll be off first to Halti and then to North Cape. I'm counting the days! Anyway I managed to squeeze in a climbing route called Ørneryggen (Eagle's back) 3 pitches which ends at the summit of Glomtinden. Then we had coffee at Klatrekafen (The climbing cafe) in Henningsvær with Sondre and Lars.

We are going to the peak to the left.

Glomtinden.

Rørvikvatnet.

Henningsvær.

Klatrekaféen.

Klatrekaféen 

Storsandnes

Today after work I went straight home to pack the last things and clean my fisherman cabin. At 8 pm Andreas helped me move my last things to my new place and then we went to Storsandnes just to get out. We climbed only 2 routes and it was a wonderful evening with sun on the rock.

Photo: Andreas

A sheep.

Photo: Andreas

Andreas rapelling.

Departure

Misty weather and rain. We had see-each-other-again-soon-breakfast with smoothie, pancakes, bread and coffe. I waved them farewell and since there is no visibility at Skottinden today I start doing laundry and sort my things a bit before moving in a few days. Suddenly it's so empty and silent in my little fisherman cabin...

Eggum, Gimsøya and Stamsund

Today we went to Eggum then to Gimsøya to see the house with urban art just to realize that someone stole the painting inside the house on the second floor. We also made a short stop at Stamsund which is where Hurtigruten stops before Svolvær. We also had a look at the wooden scuplture "The tourist", some people thought the sculpture was so ugly that they meant to lower it to the seabed. But a small group of people chained themselves to the sculpture (in 2004) to prevent it from being removed. Now it's been standing there for 10 years. The cost of producing the sculpture was 200.000 NOK.

Eggum

Eggum

Eggum

Eggum

Gimsøya.

Stamsund.

Tourists in Stamsund.

The tourist.